Neighborhood fights gun range moving in

OKLAHOMA CITY – Some Oklahoma City residents getting rid of a shooting range they say is too close to home.

However, another group is now fighting to keep it out of their neighborhood.

Skeet fly in the air and shotgun blasts echo from the shooting range to the neighborhood it borders.

“Sounds like the Fourth of July everyday,” Dr. Carolyn Pimsler said.

Bangs so bothersome to nearby residents, Quail Ridge Sporting Clays is now moving from Elm Creek Reserve at S.E. 149th St. and Air Depot.

The proposed new location, Dr. Pimsler’s neighborhood at S.E. 119th St. and Air Depot.

These residents aren’t happy about it either.

Nearly 100 people signed a petition to keep the gun range at bay.

“They’re changing one problem for another,” Colette Calame said.

The Tecumseh-based company rents its land from the city.

Owner David Martin said the city chose where to relocate his range.

“I’ve changed my course to make sure we are shooting away from them,” Martin said. “We’re talking with the city more about the berms and the plantings. That’s for the noise issue, and we geographically moved ourselves three times further away from people.”

Residents said they don’t just fear the noise from hundreds of shooters, they fear long-term environmental problems at the nature reserve neighborhood because of the lead shot left on the ground.

Residents don’t want groundwater contaminated.

“Lead recovery recommended by the EPA is in place,” Martin said.

He said companies come regularly in to clean the lead off the ground.

Residents are skeptical all the lead can be collected and said they want their peace and quiet.

The city will vote on whether to give the shooting range a permit to move to the new location on Jan. 29.